Members can read the latest in our October Newsletter.

How to Protect Your Fish from Being Sucked in to a Surface Skimmer

By Ron Boedeker

I go to the kitchen section of my favorite store and get a Stainless Steel grating for setting hot cooking pans on. I pick the appropriate size to cover the skimmer opening and tie it in place with a strong non-rotting string.

Be sure to remove any legs and file off any sharp points on the grating to avoid injuring the fish, also pick one with small openings if you keep small fish. You may have to use 2 or more grates tied together, if you need small openings.

String algae and leaves will stick to the cross bars, so be sure to clean them as needed. I usually get a couple of years use out of them before they start to corrode and need to be replaced.